Mineral Resources

Mono County has significant mineral resources within its boundaries. While the extraction of mineral resources is essential to the needs of society and contributes to the economy of Mono County, there is continuing concern over whether mineral resources should be developed, and, if development does occur, how to ensure that it will not cause significant adverse environmental impacts. Mono County may be preempted from imposing land use regulations on state or federal lands, however mining activities on state or federal lands must comply with County environmental regulations.

The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975 (SMARA) stipulates that local governments must plan for the conservation and development of identified significant mineral resource deposits and provide for the reclamation of mined lands. The intent of SMARA is to assure that "the production and conservation of minerals are encouraged, while giving consideration to values relating to recreation, watershed, wildlife, range and forage, and aesthetic enjoyment" (SMARA, Section 2712 (b)). While local jurisdictions are required to address the conservation and development of mineral resources as one factor in their land use planning, SMARA does not dictate land use policy. SMARA also requires the adoption of reclamation plans for active mining operations.